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Cryptotope

A cryptotope is an antigenic site or epitope hidden in a protein or virion by surface subunits. Cryptotopes are antigenically active only after the dissociation of protein aggregates and virions. Some infectious pathogens are known to escape immunological targeting by B-cells by masking antigen-binding sites as cryptotopes. A cryptotope can also be referred to as a cryptic epitope. Cryptotopes are becoming important for HIV vaccine research as a number of studies have shown that cryptic epitopes can be revealed or exposed when HIV gp120 binds to CD4.

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Jun 16, 2026
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A cryptotope is an antigenic site or epitope hidden in a protein or virion by surface subunits. Cryptotopes are antigenically active only after the dissociation of protein aggregates and virions.1 Some infectious pathogens are known to escape immunological targeting by B-cells by masking antigen-binding sites as cryptotopes.2 A cryptotope can also be referred to as a cryptic epitope. Cryptotopes are becoming important for HIV vaccine research as a number of studies have shown that cryptic epitopes can be revealed or exposed when HIV gp120 binds to CD4.3

References

References

  1. Regenmortel, Marc (2008). "Antigenicity and Immunogenicity of Viral Proteins" (PDF). Elsevier.
  2. Reider, Franz; Biebl, Julia; et al. (22 July 2016). "Microbial Cryptotopes are Prominent Targets of B-cell Immunity". Scientific Reports. 6 31657. doi:10.1038/srep31657. PMC 4990913. PMID 27539094.
  3. Thali, Marcus (July 1993). "Characterization of Conserved Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 gpl20 Neutralization Epitopes Exposed upon gpl20-CD4 Binding". Journal of Virology. 67 (7). American Society for Microbiology: 3978–3988. doi:10.1128/jvi.67.7.3978-3988.1993. PMC 237765. PMID 7685405.